Match Day Thread Pompey v Barnsley

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Pompey know exactly what is required when they welcome Barnsley to Fratton Park this evening (7.45pm kick-off).

A draw for John Mousinho’s men would secure promotion with two games to spare, while a win seals the title.

But hoping to play the role of party poopers are opponents who still have plenty left to play for themselves.

The Reds knows that victory on the south coast would guarantee a play-off spot and an extension to their campaign.

A place in the top two for Neil Collins’ side appeared on the cards six weeks ago, only for them to concede a stoppage-time equaliser against Bolton at Oakwell.

They have gone on to win just two of the following eight fixtures and twice fought from behind to draw with Reading on home soil at the weekend.

That ended faint hopes of automatic promotion, but the Tykes will be hoping to go one better than last season.

They defeated Bolton over two legs in the play-offs, only to lose to Sheffield Wednesday when Josh Windass struck right at the end of extra-time.

This fixture last term finished 1-1, but the Blues came out on top when they headed to South Yorkshire earlier in the current campaign.

Pompey got off to a blistering start, with Paddy Lane, Colby Bishop and Connor Ogilvie all netting inside the opening 16 minutes of a 3-2 success.


TEAM NEWS
Terry Devlin (shoulder), Josh Dockerill (knee), Tom McIntyre (ankle), Joe Morrell (knee), Regan Poole (knee), Anthony Scully (ankle) and Alex Robertson (hamstring) are all out for the remainder of the season.

Robbie Cundy (glute) and Donovan Pines (thigh) are both missing for the visitors, who have doubts over the fitness of Jon Russell.


VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Read the thoughts of John Mousinho and Abu Kamara ahead of the game.


HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 23 wins
Barnsley: 19 wins
15 draws

At Fratton Park
Pompey: 15 wins
Barnsley: 5 wins
8 draws


OFFICIALS
Referee: Paul Howard
Assistants: Joseph Stokes and Declan O’Shea
Fourth Official: Craig Hicks


TICKETS
Seats have sold out and if you are coming to the game, click here to find out what is happening around the ground ahead of kick-off.


MATCH COVERAGE
Supporters at home and abroad can watch the contest live by purchasing an iFollow match pass and visiting the match centre.

Domestic iFollow subscribers can also enjoy audio commentary from Andrew Moon and Guy Whittingham as usual, but will need to purchase a match pass if they want to watch the game.

Click here for more information about using iFollow on a matchday and click here for information on downloading the app, so you can access content on your mobile device.

We will have key updates throughout the game on Twitter and a detailed blog via the match centre.

There will be post-match reaction on the website and our official YouTube channel, with highlights to follow on Wednesday.

Local listeners can hear commentary by tuning in to either Express FM or BBC Radio Solent (not available online).

 

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HOME TEAM SHIRT ...........................................................AWAY TEAM SHIRT

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Barnsley Starting Line Up:-

1 Liam Roberts GK
43 Joshua Earl DF
6 Mael Durand de Gevigney DF
2 Jordan Williams (C) DF
17 Barry Cotter MF
7 Nicky Cadden MF
8 Herbie Kane MF
11 Conor Grant MF
44 Devante Cole FW
30 Adam Phillips FW
45 John McAtee FW

Substitutes:-

23 Ben Killip
26 Jamie McCart
22 Corey O'Keeffe
38 Theo Chapman
9 Sam Cosgrove
12 Fabio Jalo
19 Aiden Marsh

 

Five changes in Pompey's starting line up tonight. Zak Swanson/Lee Evans/Gavin Whyte/Tino Anjorin & Kusini Yengi come in for Joe Rafferty/Owen Moxon/Paddy Lane/Callum Lang & Colby Bishop who are all named on the bench.

 

I'm watching the game live on iFollow this evening, so, back at full time. PUP.

 

What a win, coming back from 2-1 down to win 3-2 ! Promoted as League 1 champions, back to the Championship after 12 seasons away.

 

Full Time Match Stats:-

Home Team: Portsmouth .............Away Team: Barnsley

Possession:

Home 46%
Away 54%

Shots:

Home 14
Away 14

Shots on Target:

Home 4
Away 5

Corners:

Home 3
Away 3

Fouls:

Home 15
Away 10

 

Conor Shaughnessy headed home a late winner as Pompey secured the League One title on a dramatic night at Fratton Park.

It was a tense evening that understandably affected the performance on the pitch, with the hosts twice having to fight from behind.

Devante Cole’s early opener for the visitors was quickly cancelled out by Kusini Yengi, only for John McAtee to strike after the break.

But Colby Bishop came off the bench to level from the spot and Shaughnessy converted a corner to send the home faithful wild delight.

It meant that not only are the Blues heading up to the second tier, they are guaranteed to do so as worthy champions.

John Mousinho made five changes from the side that were held to a draw at fellow promotion hopefuls Bolton at the weekend.

Tino Anjorin was handed a first start since the FA Cup defeat at Chesterfield in November, while there were also spots for Kusini Yengi, Gavin Whyte, Lee Evans and Zak Swanson.

Callum Lang, Paddy Lane, Colby Bishop, Owen Moxon and Joe Rafferty were the men to make way, all dropping to the bench.

The sides emerged to a raucous south coast atmosphere, but the home side looked sloppy in the opening stages.

And they were quickly punished, as the Reds worked the ball from left to right and Barry Cotter delivered a cross that was converted by a stretching Cole.

Pompey’s response was instant and when the ball ricocheted into the path of Whyte, his effort was blocked.

But the ball fell to the feet of YENGI, who turned sharply and slammed a shot into the net to draw them level.

It might have got even better just a few moments later, but a curling Anjorin attempt flew inches past the post.

Things soon got tense again, though, and the Blues were struggling to find any kind of attacking rhythm.

They might have got caught out on the break, with Will Norris tearing from his line to brilliantly deny McAtee.

Mousinho was soon forced into a change, as Swanson went down injured and was replaced by Rafferty.

And despite being well below their best, Pompey saw out the remainder of the half, giving them a chance to regroup at the break.

Half Time: Pompey 1 Barnsley 1

Another switch was made by the hosts at the break, as Lang replaced Anjorin in the hole just behind Yengi.

They soon had a chance when Evans whipped in a corner from the right, but Sean Raggett could not keep his header down.

And Yengi soon showed a couple of neat touches to work his way into a shooting position before firing inches past the post.

The action was quickly switching from one end of the pitch to the other and neither side was able to take control.

Marlon Pack did well to bludgeon his way forward just before the hour mark, though, and found Whyte, whose shot was blocked.

But Barnsley soon restored their advantage, as Nicky Cadden surged in from the left and threaded a pass through for McAtee to slot home.

Pompey had already been preparing a double switch, as Yengi and Whyte made way for Bishop and Lane.

They might have levelled when a monster Pack throw was flicked on by both Raggett and Connor Ogilvie, with the ball not quite falling for either Lang or Bishop.

Bishop then collected Lane’s pass and smashed a shot against the inside of the post, although the flag had already been raised for offside.

A lofted Evans ball started the next move and it ended with the midfielder hitting a rising effort narrowly over.

Mousinho’s last throw of the dice was an attacking one on 79 minutes, with Christian Saydee on for Evans.

And the newcome immediately made an impact, drawing a clumsy challenge in the box from McAtee that led referee Paul Howard to point to the spot.

BISHOP stepped up to take the penalty and gave Liam Roberts no chance with a fierce strike that flew into the net.

That would have been enough to seal promotion, but the Blues were still looking for the goal that would secure silverware.

And it arrived late on, when Pack swung in a corner that was headed home by SHAUGHNESSY to bring on scenes of wild delight.

There was still eight minutes of stoppage-time to see out, but the Blues did just that and can start thinking about a return to Championship football for the first time since 2012.

Pompey (4-2-3-1): Norris; Swanson (Rafferty 31), Shaughnessy, Raggett, Ogilvie; Evans (Saydee 79), Pack (c); Kamara, Anjorin (Lang 46), Whyte (Lane 61); Yengi (Bishop 61)
Goals: Yengi 9, Bishop 83 (pen), Shaughnessy 89
Booked: Evans
Subs not used: Macey, Moxon

Barnsley (3-1-4-1-1): Roberts; Williams, de Gevigney, Earl; Kane; Cotter (O’Keeffe 75), Phillips, Grant (McCart 87), Cadden; McAtee (Jaló 87); Cole
Goals: Cole 6, McAtee 59
Booked: de Gevigney
Subs not used: Killip, Chapman, Marsh, Cosgrove

Referee: Paul Howard

Attendance: 19,960 (309 away fans)

 

Conor Shaughnessy's winning goal in the 89th minute......

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